General cigar questions

[Socoemt]

Hey bums, I have a few questions in hoping you can help me with. Any advice or wisdom you can impart will be greatly appreciated!

First off, what cigar would you recommend to a beginner hobbyist? I had a Perdomo 10th anniversary and I really enjoyed it. Other than that I've smoked a few house brands but nothing that has really impressed.

Secondly, does it really matter what I light the cigar with, and how I light it? As a beginner will I really notice a difference between a regular lighter and something else?

I have other questions but for the life of me I can't remember them. I'm a bit fried from a crazy long day at work! I'll add them as they come to me.

Thanks again!

Sent from my SM-N910V using Tapatalk

[Cool Breeze]

Hey bums, I have a few questions in hoping you can help me with. Any advice or wisdom you can impart will be greatly appreciated!

First off, what cigar would you recommend to a beginner hobbyist? I had a Perdomo 10th anniversary and I really enjoyed it. Other than that I've smoked a few house brands but nothing that has really impressed.

Secondly, does it really matter what I light the cigar with, and how I light it? As a beginner will I really notice a difference between a regular lighter and something else?

I have other questions but for the life of me I can't remember them. I'm a bit fried from a crazy long day at work! I'll add them as they come to me.

Thanks again!

Sent from my SM-N910V using Tapatalk

Well as far as what to recommend, my advice is to try as much as possible. What I like, you may despise and vice versa.
I will also say to stay away from the cheap samplers. Anything that says something like "Poor boy sampler" or something like that, run away. There are some good samplers out there. Here is one that would be good. It has a some really good sticks in it.

CI's All-Star Sizzler Sampler - Cigars International

As far as what you light a cigar with, it's all hype. You will get a lot of different opinions but that's mine. I've tried them all and I'd just as soon fire a stick up with a Bic as anything.
There's a video about Padron that shows Jeorge Padron sticking a cigar between his lips and firing it up with a cheap plastic lighter by applying the flame directly to the foot of the cigar. Works for me.

[Upstatemax]

As @Cool Breeze said, try a bunch of stuff. Your tastes will change over time as well. Don't go buy a box right away because you think you like it now...

Try several quality samplers like posted above, go into your local B&M and talk to them, let them help guide you as you develop your likes and dislikes.

As for lighting, I prefer butane jet lighters, but you do have to be a little careful with them. Especially the multi jet ones, they can get VERY hot and you do not want to shove a cigar right into that flame, I have seen the damage that comes from that. Cedar spills are also a favorite of mine. I personally would just avoid using a standard Zippo to light, they do not burn all that cleanly. I have a jet insert for one of my Zippo lighters that is a favorite of mine. It works very well and the lighter holds a lot of sentimental value to me as well!

[Rocket Scientologist]

First off, what cigar would you recommend to a beginner hobbyist? I had a Perdomo 10th anniversary and I really enjoyed it. Other than that I've smoked a few house brands but nothing that has really impressed.

Secondly, does it really matter what I light the cigar with, and how I light it? As a beginner will I really notice a difference between a regular lighter and something else?

I will echo what's already been said about trying a bunch of different cigars, but here's a few that I think are worth trying that aren't expensive:
Brick House (natural and maduro)
Alec Bradley Black Market
H. Upmann 1844 Reserve
Illusione Rothchilde
La Gloria Cubana
Padron X000 (2000 Maduro, for example)
Rocky Patel Edge (there are a bunch of different Edge, try them all if you want)
Tatuaje Tattoo (Tatuaje is popular around here, the Tattoo is a cheaper stick but I like it)

As far as lighting, just don't use a candle. And most will say don't use a Zippo because the lighter fluid can affect the cigar's taste, but I used a Zippo starting out and never noticed. Matches, a Bic lighter, or a butane torch lighter are all acceptable. There are YouTube videos on lighting technique. Most will tell you to toast the foot of the cigar (warm it up) then puff to draw the flame in. Toasting helps get the burn started off right. Technique aside, it really doesn't matter how you light it, just get it burning!

Welcome to the club, and enjoy!

[garublador]

And most will say don't use a Zippo because the lighter fluid can affect the cigar's taste, but I used a Zippo starting out and never noticed.

IIRC, some time ago Zippo changed their lighter fluid formula to burn cleaner and not impart a flavor onto cigars. That would take some Googling to confirm.

You want to light it with something that burns "clean." Butane and cedar splints are known to burn clean so they're most commonly used. If you use matches make sure the sulfur is burnt off before lighting.

[stonecutter2]

Hey bums, I have a few questions in hoping you can help me with. Any advice or wisdom you can impart will be greatly appreciated!

First off, what cigar would you recommend to a beginner hobbyist? I had a Perdomo 10th anniversary and I really enjoyed it. Other than that I've smoked a few house brands but nothing that has really impressed.

Secondly, does it really matter what I light the cigar with, and how I light it? As a beginner will I really notice a difference between a regular lighter and something else?

I have other questions but for the life of me I can't remember them. I'm a bit fried from a crazy long day at work! I'll add them as they come to me.

Thanks again!

Sent from my SM-N910V using Tapatalk

1) Padron Londres or Delicias. Or as others noted, the x000 series like 2000, 3000, etc. Buy one with a natural wrapper, and one maduro. Just to see the difference in flavors. These are Nicaraguan puro cigars (pure Nicaraguan tobacco, not blended with another country's tobacco). Then try an Arturo Fuente 8-5-8 in natural and maduro. These have Dominican fillers. There will be a decidedly different flavor to these vs the Padron Nicaraguan.

2) Not really, in my experience. You can use a Bic lighter just as well as a single flame torch or triple flame torch. I've seen the Padron family using Bics to light their cigars. However, be aware that torches are awesome for toasting the foot of the cigar easily, and on a day with any kind of wind, a torch keeps you from having to block the wind as you light. It puts the heat right where you want it, above the cigar as you light, so you don't scorch it. Ronson JetLite lighters are single flame torch lighters usually available at Walmart for the price of a multi-pack of Bics. And they're great little refillable torch lighters.

[Zeede]

@Socoemt

Your tastes will be unique to you, but if you are like I was, unaccustomed to nicotine, try and stay away from "nic bombs". Try and smoke on a full stomach. Otherwise, just try things! There are lots of solid cigars that don't cost and arm and a leg.

As far as lighting a cigar just avoid matches, candles and anything lighter fluid based. Bics, butane torch lighters or cedar spills are all good. Don't worry about toasting properly and all that yet.

[c.ortiz108]

You can also do the noob sampler trade and get recommended sticks from experienced Bums. http://www.cigarbum.com/forum/pif-ma...=Sampler+trade

[Brimy]

There are sooooooo many cigars out there!!! And I'm talking, normal production sticks.
As said in the previous answers, sample, sample & sample some more!

You are going to find some that you like & others you don't. And as your palate matures, you will find that what you loved before you might not later.

When I first got serious I would read reviews (both "professionals" & other S/BOTL) and then try the cigar. Even just looking at the "what did you smoke today" thread and you will find others who have a similar palate. When you do, you will have a direction for your sampling. At least that worked for me.

Then when you get to storing sticks and you learn about resting & aging, things might change again!

Most important is to just try stuff!

[jhedrick83]

There are sooooooo many cigars out there!!! And I'm talking, normal production sticks.
As said in the previous answers, sample, sample & sample some more!

You are going to find some that you like & others you don't. And as your palate matures, you will find that what you loved before you might not later.

When I first got serious I would read reviews (both "professionals" & other S/BOTL) and then try the cigar. Even just looking at the "what did you smoke today" thread and you will find others who have a similar palate. When you do, you will have a direction for your sampling. At least that worked for me.

Then when you get to storing sticks and you learn about resting & aging, things might change again!

Most important is to just try stuff!

Great advice. I would also add in that when you smoke cigars, as best you can pair it with water or a drink with little flavor, and take notes on the cigar as you smoke it. Flavors you are getting, evenness of burn line, draw, etc. Write a mini review just for yourself. It will really help you start to see what you like and dislike and you can compare that to the descriptions of the Wrapper/Binder/Filler so you can start to see what leaves bring what flavors. It can also help you find other cigars that you might like.

The discovery is half the fun!